By Lee Chi-dong WASHINGTON, Aug. 7 (Yonhap) -- The U.S. government expressed typical support Wednesday for the upcoming resumption of inter-Korean talks on the fate of the Kaesong Industrial Complex, the last remaining joint venture between the two sides.

"We certainly support improved inter-Korean relations," State Department spokeswoman Jen Psaki said at a press briefing.

She was responding to Pyongyang's announcement that it wants to hold a new round of negotiations with the South next week.

The communist regime said it is willing to restart the operation of the facilities in the North's border town of Kaesong after months of suspension.

The North also said it is lifting restrictions on the entry of South Korean managers into the complex, where around 120 firms used to hire more than 50,000 North Korean workers.

The South is bracing for a showdown with the North in the talks on Kaesong, slated for Wednesday after six rounds of unsuccessful negotiations.

Washington said it will keep close tabs on related developments.

"We're monitoring the situation closely, and we remain in close contact with the South Korean government," Psaki said.